After careful consideration, Aspen Winds (Stepping Stone location) in Carman will permanently close its doors on Feb. 28 and focus on its location in Notre Dame de Lourdes.
Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble Inc. is a Day Program and Residential Agency that provides services for adults with disabilities and produces a wide variety of items for sale.
As of Feb. 5, products will no longer be available at the Carman location. However, they will still take custom order requests and forward them to their team in Notre Dame until the closing date. Aspen Winds is also having a blowout garage sale from Feb. 5-21 to sell remaining shelving units, tables, chairs, desks, etc.
Aspen Winds is not going anywhere. In the future, they will provide all of their services out of Notre Dame de Lourdes.
Previously known as Mountain Industries, the Aspen Winds company underwent some rebranding back in 2016. They amalgamated with the Notre Dame Residence, which combined day program and residential services in Notre Dame de Lourdes and the day program/storefront in Carman.
Aspen Winds (Stepping Stone) in Carman has been in business for over 25 years. It provides a day program for intellectually disabled individuals and a storefront for products created in Notre Dame’s woodworking program.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to make as closing the doors in Carman meant closing a big chapter,” said Corey Vuignier, Aspen Winds day program manager. “We had to make sure that our participants at the program had a place to go. And so they will all join us in Notre Dame, which is great. They’ll be able to join a much larger group and create friendships.”
The decision came after a few years of noticeably lower sales of its products and less community support. To no fault of their own, the company’s woodworking program focus, customer demands, and vision took a drastic turn over the past few years, too.
“There’s been countless memories made over the years in Carman. Most of which are to see customers come in and have a chat with the participants while shopping,” said Vuignier. “This created a great atmosphere for our ladies who were attending the day program. And it’s these interactions that’ll be missed the most.”
Aspen Winds Headquarters will continue to operate in Notre Dame de Lourdes. The amalgamation of the two locations has only strengthened the company.
“The goal of the amalgamation was to improve services in our communities by providing an expanded menu of services and opportunities for a good life, by supporting people to work, play and participate fully in their communities. By working together, it allows us to become more effective and efficient in our day-to-day operation and services.”
Aspen Winds’ day program features a woodworking shop where participants create items for sale, ranging from small birdhouses to larger household furniture. They also offer a custom service, allowing customers to present their visions, which Aspen Winds then brings to life.
“We also offer several other tools needed for our participants to flourish like pushing at creating a community-based program in the near future. And more recently, shifting our attention to a new and improved one-on-one program aimed at developing life skills, work ethics, etc.”
